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I-Team: Ex-JFK Security Worker Alleges ‘Sex Fest’ at Airport

A female former security supervisor for the company that protects John F. Kennedy International Airport has filed a federal complaint alleging the outfit was "overrun with misogyny, racism and harassment.” Sarah Wallace reports.

(Published Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017)

A female former security supervisor for the company that protects John F. Kennedy International Airport has filed a federal complaint alleging the outfit was "overrun with misogyny, racism and harassment.”

LaDonna Powell worked for four years at Allied Universal Security Services, which is contracted by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to secure the Queens airport. She claims in court papers filed Tuesday that she "was subjected to a shocking campaign of abuse and hazing."

In an exclusive interview with the I-Team, Powell said male managers touched her inappropriately and made lewd comments about her body. Four of those managers are named as defendants in the federal lawsuit. The suit also names two Allied project managers and one executive for the company.

A spokesperson for Allied Universal Security Services, which bills itself as the largest security services company in North America, told the I-Team the company just received the lawsuit Tuesday morning and is reviewing it. She said Allied does not comment on pending litigation.

The Port Authority, which is not named as a defendant in the federal complaint, said the allegations in the suit have been referred to the Port Authority Inspector general "for review."

Powell’s suit alleges male supervisors watched guards engaging in consensual sex acts in security booths via closed circuit television cameras. She added that she was told that "back in the day" she would be "bent over the booths."

"There was livestreaming sex at Kennedy Airport when they’re supposed to be securing the areas," said Powell. It was like a sex fest."

"We don’t want them if they’re ugly," she said. "We only want pretty girls working here."

She added, "Some didn’t even have security guard licenses. They didn’t even have driver’s licenses. They were qualified to be a mistress, if that’s what they’re shopping for. But if you’re looking for security, that’s not what they were qualified for."

Powell’s attorneys at Emery, Celli, Brinckerhoff & Abady, LLP, said there was a "toxic culture" at Allied.

"This is a case about a company that just perpetuated a culture of harassment, of hazing, of discrimination and hostility towards women," said Alanna Kaufman.

Elizabeth Saylor added, "Allied is responsible for this primarily but the Port Authority also needs to take action. We’ve spoken to a half dozen women who experienced the same thing. These are security guards who are paid for by city and state money that are put there to protect people from terrorism and other threats. And inside of protecting people, instead of caring about people’s safety, they’re too busy watching sex shows, too busy harassing others.”

The suit comes after three Customs and Border Protection officers were arrested following an I-Team report exposing allegations of extreme, sexually abusive hazing at Newark Airport.